Barb Dabitz
Manager, Executive Office & Board Affairs
Barb Dabitz is Manager, Executive Office & Board Affairs at the Commonwealth Foundation.
Prior to joining the Commonwealth Foundation in 2022, Barb spent over 15 years providing administrative and project management support to C-level and senior executives at healthcare organizations. A native of Delaware County and a graduate of Immaculata University, Barb is inspired by the Commonwealth Foundation’s leadership and dedication to creating greater opportunities for Pennsylvanians.
She resides in Chester County with her husband and enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time at the Jersey Shore.
Pennsylvania’s Windfall Profits Tax?
The Tax Foundation’s blog on Rendell’s proposed windfall profits tax. Topics on this page PennsylvaniaTax Foundation…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania’s Windfall Profits Tax?
Taxing Teachers
When Governor Rendell intoduced his proposed “Oil Company Gross Profits Tax”, he bashed Exxon-Mobil and their profits. The Governor apparently forgot that Exxon’s profits are owned by people, including being…
Media
Read More: Taxing Teachers
State can’t fix health insurance problems it created
A small businessman says “Thanks, but No Thanks!” to Gov. Rendell’s healthcare proposal that is suppose to HELP small businesses. Read John Brinson’s commentary in the Morning Call.
Media
Read More: State can’t fix health insurance problems it created
Newly Retired Lawmakers Cash In on Pensions
The Associated Press reports on the pension payouts of newly retired lawmakers. ABC27 reports on the lucrative “public servant” benefits our lawmakers have provided themselves.
Media
Read More: Newly Retired Lawmakers Cash In on Pensions
Do Markets Work in Healthcare?
From Dr. John Goodman of the National Center for Policy Analysis… Perhaps you have heard that health markets work reasonably well whenpatients pay with their own money. LAZIK surgery…
Media
Read More: Do Markets Work in Healthcare?
Pennsylvania Turnpike corruption alleged in federal indictment of senator, wife of Pike chairman
Tollroads News looks at federally indicted state Senator Vince Fumo’s connection to the PA Turnpike. Topics on this page Pennsylvania TurnpikeVince Fumo…
Media
Read More: Pennsylvania Turnpike corruption alleged in federal indictment of senator, wife of Pike chairman
Record Taxes
Much has been made about Exxon’s “record profits”, but no media focused on their “record taxes“–Exxon paid three times in taxes what they earned in profits. Why is this…
Media
Read More: Record Taxes
Rendell To Seek Increase in Sales Tax
ABC 27 previews the Governor’s budget proposals.
Media
Read More: Rendell To Seek Increase in Sales Tax
Fiscal Revelation
Wall Street Journal crunches numbers in the federal budget and national debt.
Media
Read More: Fiscal RevelationRegulation
What Happened to Yesterday’s Hometown Heroes?
Each morning my local county newspaper shows up late. Speaking with the delivery man and calling the office hasn’t changed things. So, rather than canceling the 20,089 daily circulation paper…
Commentary
Read More: What Happened to Yesterday’s Hometown Heroes?
Bonus recipients gave heavily to campaigns
More gasoline on the legislative bonuses fire, from Public Radio Capitol News.
Media
Read More: Bonus recipients gave heavily to campaigns
A heaping helping of handouts
Post-Gazette piece on a whole host of corporate welfare grants. Topics on this page Pittsburgh Post-Gazette…
Media
Read More: A heaping helping of handouts
Significant Tax Increase for Pennsylvania
The Tax Foundation assesses Governor Rendell’s plans to raise a host of taxes in Pennylvania. Topics on this page Ed Rendell…
Media
Read More: Significant Tax Increase for Pennsylvania
State judge pay system worse than legislative bonuses.
From Capitolwire.com (subscription): Ditzen also wrote: “For all the controversy surrounding Act 44, I have not heard anyone argue that the salary linkage for state judges to the federal…
Media
Read More: State judge pay system worse than legislative bonuses.
Taxpayers could bear cost of pension plans’ ‘noncrisis’
Rick Dreyfuss’s latest commentary in Sunday’s Patriot-News. Topics on this page The Patriot-News…
Media
Read More: Taxpayers could bear cost of pension plans’ ‘noncrisis’
Saying No To Teacher Strikes
The Evening Bulletin covers efforts to stop teacher strikes in PA, focusing on the efforts of Simon Campbell at Stop Teacher Strikes, Inc. Topics on this page…
Media
Read More: Saying No To Teacher Strikes
The Case Against Smoking Bans
Thomas A Lambert in Regulation Magazine on the Case Against Smoking Bans in “public places.”…
Media
Read More: The Case Against Smoking Bans
Rendell pushes health plan
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal article on RendellCare. After quoting my commentary on Rendell’s misdiagnosis of the problem, the article then quotes Rendell saying: “‘It’s important for the Legislature to…
Media
Read More: Rendell pushes health plan
Rendell’s Energy Plan
From Capitolwire.com: By Christopher LilienthalStaff ReporterCapitolwire HARRISBURG (Feb. 1) – Gov. Ed Rendell outlined an energy independence strategy Thursday that calls for the creation of an $850…
Media
Read More: Rendell’s Energy Plan
More on Legislative Bonuses
The Patriot News adds up the total legislative bonuses to $3.6 million over the last 2 years ($1.8 million from the Democratic caucus in 2006). Meanwhile, Bob Jubelirer defends…
Media
Read More: More on Legislative Bonuses
Time for another Rendell tax proposal
From the bad idea factory in Harrisburg comes another proposal for a tax increase to fund another misguided government program. This time, Governor Rendell proposes increasing electricity taxes by $850…
Media
Read More: Time for another Rendell tax proposal